The vibe surrounding South Carolina’s Week 4 game against Vanderbilt seemed to change as kickoff gradually inched closer.

After a Week 2 thumping by Georgia, the Gamecocks’ Week 3 game was canceled due to Hurricane Florence. Vanderbilt, however, did play Week 3. In fact, the Commodores impressed in a close loss at Notre Dame (17-22).

Also in Week 3, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee all notched out-of-conference wins, giving them momentum. Suddenly, the preseason hype of South Carolina being the second-best team in the division did not feel so certain. This was clear when all four “ESPN College GameDay” pickers predicted Vanderbilt would beat the Gamecocks.

With his team coming off an unexpected off week and potentially still experiencing an extended hangover effect from the Georgia loss, coach Will Muschamp turned to a Gamecock who knows what it takes to endure the grind of the SEC schedule, Marcus Lattimore.

South Carolina OLB/DE Bryson Allen-Williams said Lattimore had an important reminder for the team, helping set their mindset going into the game.

“Marcus had a message before the game, talking about legacy and lineage,” Allen-Williams told reporters. “We want to start our legacy, to make sure we leave this season – make sure the next couple of teams that follow us continue to see the type of ball that we want to play.”

South Carolina was clearly mentally focused for the Vanderbilt game as Muschamp’s squad notched a 37-14 win.

Lattimore currently serves as South Carolina’s director of player development.